Laos bans new gasoline and diesel car imports, mandating all-electric vehicles

Laos became the first country to implement a complete import ban on combustion-engine vehicles as of June 1, requiring all new cars to be electric in what analysts describe as the world's most aggressive EV policy.

First covered Jul 22, 2026 · 7:30 AM PT · 1 article · no longer in the live window

Laos bans new gasoline and diesel car imports, mandating all-electric vehicles — Image via electrek.co

Coverage

66d Electrek This country went 100% electric vehicles overnight with a drastic approach — Laos did something no other country has tried: it banned the import of new gas and diesel passenger cars outright.

More coverage from around the web

usasean.org Laos Suspends Fuel-Powered Vehicle Imports Through 2026 to Accelerate EV Transition | US ABC

english.news.cn Laos accelerates push for EV adoption amid clean energy shift-Xinhua

eco-business.com Laos suspends fuel-powered vehicle imports in drive to accelerate EV adoption | News | Eco-Business | Asia Pacific

thestar.com.my Laos to suspend fuel-powered vehicle imports until end of 2026 | The Star

thestar.com.my Laos halts fossil fuel vehicle imports and sets price controls for electric cars | The Star

Discussion

Reddit: r/energy0↑ r/energy · 66d ago · 0 comments This country went 100% electric vehicles overnight with a drastic approach. Laos banned the import of new gas and diesel cars outright as of June 1. Laos isn't doing this for climate headlines. The logic is economic. Every EV runs on domestic hydro instead of imported diesel. That’s the whole game.

Appeared in: 2026-07-22 (#2) · 2026-07-23 (#2)

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